University app to screen students, staff for Covid-19
The app will be accessible to all students, staff and joint appointees working at the Doctor George Mukhari Academic Hospital.
The Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) has launched a new web app to help students and staff screen for Covid-19 on Sunday.
“The SMU Covid-19 monitor app was developed due to the South African government currently being placed under pressure to scale up screening and testing for the coronavirus infection in communities,” said SMU spokesperson Dr Eric Pule.
“Organisations and institutions of higher learning are actively working on ways to support the government in conquering the spread of Covid-19.”
Pule said to this end, SMU had designed the innovative new web application, which would contribute to containing the virus and monitor virus-related symptoms among staff and students.
“This app will alleviate pressure on the government and other health professionals to provide regular screening for the university community as they go about their work and study on campus.”
He said the app could be accessed through any mobile device.
It was launched with the view of continued use at SMU for both during and after the current lockdown.
“Our staff and students on campus will be able to self-check their health status daily by answering a series of questions about symptoms, known to be associated with the coronavirus infection, including any possible recent exposures and testing,” Pule said.
Based on the responses provided, together with exposure history weighted higher than others, the app would then provide a risk score with relevant recommendations to follow.
“These risk scores are colour-coded. They will indicate either one should contact a medical provider or call the health department’s hotline number which appears on the risk report dashboard.”
He said the information would also be immediately available to a restricted number of pre-approved health professionals, including the campus health doctor who are part of the SMU Covid-19 response team.
This was to allow the health provider to advise on the need to either test, quarantine or self-isolate.
“This also allows those who may possibly have reported exposure to a Covid-19 positive patient or who themselves have tested positive while at home or on campus to self-report.”
“The SMU response team would, therefore, be able to act swiftly with regards to referral for quarantine, isolation, as well as contact tracing in collaboration with the district health response team.”
Pule said the web app was developed by Prof Ayo-Yusuf at no cost to the university.
It would be used only as a screening tool and was not intended to replace a consultation with a medical professional.
“We pride ourselves as being the first university to launch such a real-time screening tool for staff and students before returning to campus to ensure collective safety. This has received the support of both the student representative council and organised labour,” said Pule.
The app was especially important as the country moved into the flu season.
“It can be used regularly to ensure early warning when the user feels unwell or becomes aware of exposure to any known Covid-19 positive person.”
The app will be accessible to all students, staff and joint appointees working at the Doctor George Mukhari Academic Hospital.
The app is also aimed at supporting plans by the Department of Higher Education Training, Science and Technology to resume the 2020 academic year, while also appropriately responding to the call to contain the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said the app would contribute and support the recommended 360-degree screening and testing of students and staff returning to the SMU campus.
It can be directly accessed as often as required via any mobile device using a link that would be sent to all students and staff via SMS and email.
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